Adebayo Adenrele
A lawmaker representing Ekiti South Federal Constituency 2 in the National Assembly, Hon Femi Bamisile, has described the investment by Governor Biodun Oyebanji to ramp-up the development of Micro, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs), as a deft move that would eradicate unemployment and poverty among the youths.
Bamisile stated these in a statement made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti on Monday.
He commended the construction of an ultra modern MSMEs Clinic in Ekiti, a skill acquisition Hub, through a bipartite efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Oyebanji’s administrations.
Espousing his views on the Clinic, which houses the Ekiti Garment Hub, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Delegated Legislation, said the Centre will help in imbuing the youths with skills that will make them employers of labour, rather than being job seekers.
The federal lawmaker was enthralled with the fact that the project is due for commissioning on June 8, by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, describing youth development and job creation as a key pillar of Governor Oyebanji’s administration’s development agenda.
Bamisile was emphatic that the fact that President Tinubu could consider Ekiti worthy of being partnered for the actualisation of the project corroborated the view that Governor Oyebanji’s strides to radicalise Ekiti’s development were gaining traction and recognition at the national level.
The stalwart of All Progressives Congress, urged the youths to make the maximum use of the opportunity and deploy the skills acquired from the Centre to better their future and that of the state.
He urged the youths to be circumspect of the dearth of white collar jobs in circulation, advising them to embrace the paradigm shift in the global economy that places high premium on skills to operate under the 21st century economy, than solely depending on school certificates.
His words, “Let me commend President Tinubu and our dear Governor on this initiative. This project will help Ekiti to enjoy favourable rating in youth employment, instead of being derisively categorized as one of the states having the highest indices of youth joblessness rate in the country.
“With this programme in place, our youths can become fashion designers and entrepreneurs, who can create employments instead of scouting for non-existing jobs. The State Adire Ekiti Hub will help in complementing this Centre.
“Youth Empowerment has gone beyond offering of peanuts to our productive youths to establish a business outfit. The Ekiti MSMEs Clinic represents a more pragmatic way to solving youth unemployment, and I commend the FG and the state government for the initiative.
“Governor Oyebanji has proven that there are enormous gains inherent in continuity of governance. Our people should back him to succeed. President Tinubu besides appointing Ekiti indigenes into positions, is also remembering Ekiti in terms of project execution.
“Work is ongoing on Ado-Ikere-Akure road, while the dualisation of Ado-Ijan-Ikare road had been awarded and work will soon begin on the highly busy road. The two leaders deserve our maximum support in Ekiti and we shouldn’t disappoint in this regard”.